Car Accident? Here’s What to Do and Why

13/04/2017by Jason Imler

When you’re in a car accident, it can be hard to know what to do next. To help ease your mental and emotional burden, we’ve put together a list of eight things to do when you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident.

What to do when you’ve been in a car accident

Maintain Your Cool

Take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Even the most level-headed people can be shocked, stunned, and shaken. You may need to help others get the help they need.

Never leave the scene until it’s appropriate to do so

Be safe. Turn on hazard lights. If you can move vehicles out of the way of traffic. If you can’t move your car without causing more damage, don’t try. Arrange a tow or if 911 is called, see if the police can help arrange a tow

Identify If Anyone Is Hurt

Call an ambulance when in doubt

If a person is unconscious or has neck or back pain, don’t move them until qualified medical help arrives, unless a hazard requires moving the person

Call For Police

Even if no one is hurt, it is good idea to contact police

Sometimes bringing a neutral third party in to document the scene can avoid the “it’s your word against his” problem later

Even when the other driver admits at the scene it is his fault, after speaking to his insurance company, that position may change, and his insurer may stand by his position to avoid paying your claim

A police report will include all critical information about the accident

Police can identify if the insurance is fake or expired

Exchange Information

Gather the other driver’s name, address, phone, email, insurance company and policy number. If the other driver is not the owner, ask for the owner’s information and the relationship between the driver and owner.

Gather Evidence

Gather names and phone numbers of witnesses. This can be critical. It is not unusual to speak to someone who says a witness approached after the accident, said they would provide a statement, but then never gave a name or phone number

Getting Medical Treatment

If you feel something isn’t right, go to the ER or see your doctor as soon as possible. Adrenaline and other chemicals in the body can mask pain for periods of time after a high-stress incident like an accident. So pay attention to what your body is telling you in the hours and days after an accident.

Don’t wait to get treatment or have gaps in your treatment – while you may have a high tolerance for pain, or just hoped it would get better on its own, that’s not what an insurance company sees. They see an opportunity to argue you were not hurt in the accident or that you must be a fraud.

In PA, your own insurance company is responsible for the medical bills, at least to start. You need to set up a claim, get a claim number to give to your medical providers. You have a duty to cooperate with your insurance, perhaps sign and complete some forms.

When you do discuss your injuries with your own insurance or your doctors- be broad with your description of injuries – be sure to tell them about all the body parts hurt.

What if you are contacted by the other driver’s insurance

Be aware of the “how are you today?” question.

Avoid discussing injuries, how you are feeling, until you have consulted with an attorney.

Avoid signing any documents or giving any recorded statements until you have consulted with an attorney.

If you and the other driver have the same insurance company and you are contacted, you need to identify the role of the person calling you. Are they an adjuster addressing medical claims under your policy or are they calling on behalf of the other driver’s policy.

Count on Mooney

Finally, you should contact Mooney & Associates to ensure you are protected going forward. Consultations for a car accident are free. We handle all types of vehicle accidents including:

The Most Trusted Lawyers

When you partner with the attorneys of Mooney & Associates, you can trust two things: our knowledge and experience in every field of law, and that when you call us, a lawyer will answer your questions and concerns promptly. We have a long history of negotiating maximum settlements and successfully fighting for our clients in the courtroom.